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The uprising in Syria has caused many families to flee their homes seeking safety in other countries. In 2015, the Canadian government announced they would support 25,000 refugees and have recently achieved this number. Although the refugees are now safe in Canada there is still a lot work to be done and help is needed by the community.

Daily, we receive requests from generous people in Toronto looking to give their time or resources to help with these newcomers. In response, we have compiled a list of non-profits and community groups who are looking for dedicated volunteers to help.

We will do our best to update this list as frequently as possible. If you are not able to get to hold of the contact person listed, please be patient. Many of these organizations are under-funded and under staffed which means it may take a few weeks to get a response.

Furniture Bank is a registered charity & social enterprise that collects gently used furniture and household goods from the community, and transfers them to families who have recently transitioned out of homelessness, women and children escaping abusive situations, and refugees and newcomers to Canada. In the process, they help turn houses into true homes.

Central Neighbourhood House is the second oldest settlement house in Toronto. They have been working hand in hand with neighbours, helping families settle into the neighbourhood, offering a wide range of excellent programs for children and youth, new Canadians, families, women and seniors.

The Mennonite New Life Centre’s mission is to facilitate newcomer settlement and integration through holistic services and community engagement, carried out within a gender justice and anti-oppression framework. They model an approach that brings together community engagement and community services, working together with newcomers to reduce insecurity and reach integration, strengthen voices and increase social equality.

The Peer Project helps at-risk and newcomer children and youth to stay in school and on the right track by providing Youth Mentors help newcomer children transition into Canadian culture.

Volunteer Opportunities:
Due to the high volume of Syrian children who have joined the program, The Peer Project has an immediate need for Arabic speaking mentors that are between 17 and 30 years of age. Mentors will be paired with a child (aged 6 to 15) based on common interests and geographical location. They will share experiences, skills and hobbies with their mentee, and inspire a younger youth to stay on the right track.

Syrian Active Volunteers is a Non-Governmental Organization that was found to support the Syrian refugees during their transition period in Canada. Since their arrival at the airport, the new Syrian refugees were welcomed by our army of volunteers, and all the way during their stay in the hotels, moving to their houses, and after.

The Arab Community Centre of Toronto (ACCT) is a non-profit, non-political and non-religious organization that aims to help all newcomers to Canada, especially Arabs, and to provide a friendly place to socialize and reach services and opportunities. ACCT also provides a focal point for access to various services, including (but not limited to), employment, immigration, and settlement services.

The Halton Multicultural Council is a community-based settlement agency that provides a variety of programs and services to immigrant and refugee communities. It is a community agency dedicated to enabling every individual, regardless of race or ethnic origin, to participate as full and active members of the community through fostering mutual respect and understanding of one another.

Together Project connects Canadians and refugee newcomers to build stronger, more integrated communities. Together Project matches Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs) with Welcome Groups of five or more volunteers for friendship and settlement support. During the refugee's first year in Canada, our volunteer Welcome Groups help them access healthcare, enroll in school and ESL, use TTC, access technology, and explore Toronto's urban nature and cultural destinations.

Volunteer Opportunities: Individual or group volunteering, relationship building, connecting people to resources in their communities

WoodGreen Community Services is one of the largest social service agencies in Toronto. A founding United Way of Toronto member agency, WoodGreen has grown to span 36 locations and serves 37,000 people each year. The Community Connections Program focuses on supporting newcomers to adapt, settle and integrate into Canadian society and the workplace through various types of activities. These activities include Mentorship, Conversation Circles and Group Activities.